Raw wool trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in raw wool was worth $2.87 billion in 2024, about 649.0 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 33% since 2017, and down 6% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.87B | 649.0K t |
| 2023 | $3.06B | 635.0K t |
| 2022 | $3.20B | 618.3K t |
| 2021 | $3.36B | 675.4K t |
| 2020 | $2.43B | 530.7K t |
| 2019 | $3.70B | 650.6K t |
| 2018 | $4.75B | 810.1K t |
| 2017 | $4.31B | 791.6K t |
Top raw wool exporting countries
Exports are led by Australia (63%), New Zealand (10%) and South Africa (10%). 103 countries reported exports, and the top three account for 83%.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $1.81B | 63% |
| New Zealand | $288.7M | 10% |
| South Africa | $281.6M | 9.8% |
| Uruguay | $80.5M | 2.8% |
| United Kingdom | $63.1M | 2.2% |
| Lesotho | $61.3M | 2.1% |
| China | $38.2M | 1.3% |
| Argentina | $27.5M | 1% |
| Turkey | $21.4M | 0.7% |
| United States | $19.5M | 0.7% |
| France | $14.0M | 0.5% |
| Germany | $13.9M | 0.5% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
China is the biggest buyer with 71% of world imports, ahead of India and Italy. Demand is concentrated: the top three take 83% across 121 importing countries.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.05B | 71% |
| India | $203.9M | 7.1% |
| Italy | $120.5M | 4.2% |
| Czech Republic | $80.8M | 2.8% |
| Germany | $47.1M | 1.6% |
| United Kingdom | $40.7M | 1.4% |
| South Africa | $39.9M | 1.4% |
| Lithuania | $34.8M | 1.2% |
| South Korea | $29.6M | 1% |
| Bulgaria | $23.2M | 0.8% |
| Egypt | $21.9M | 0.8% |
| Thailand | $20.9M | 0.7% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $4.43 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Australia averaged $7.07 per kg and the United Kingdom $2.27 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 5101: Wool, not carded or combed. HS 5101 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most raw wool?
Australia exported $1.81 billion in 2024, 63% of the world total, followed by New Zealand (10%) and South Africa (10%). In all, 103 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most raw wool?
China imported $2.05 billion in 2024, 71% of world imports, ahead of India (7%) and Italy (4%). The top three importers together take 83%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in raw wool?
It was worth $2.87 billion in 2024, about 649.0 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 33% since 2017. The peak year was 2018 at $4.75 billion. 103 countries reported exports and 121 reported imports.
What is the average price of raw wool per kg?
The world average declared value was about $4.43 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Australia averaged $7.07 per kg and the United Kingdom $2.27 per kg, so grade and origin matter. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote.
What is the HS code for raw wool?
The HS code for raw wool is heading 5101, in chapter 51 (wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn and woven fabric). Customs uses this code worldwide at the six-digit level; national tariffs add more digits. The full list of codes is on the HS 5101 page.
How can I find raw wool buyers and suppliers?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX shows the importers and exporters behind this trade from shipment-level customs records, updated weekly, with direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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